astigmatism etymology

Etymology

Astigmatism derives from the Greek words:

  • a- (ἀ-) meaning "without" or "not"
  • stigma (στῖγμα) meaning "point" or "mark"

Meaning and Origin

Astigmatism refers to a refractive error in the eye that causes incoming light to be focused at multiple points instead of a single point on the retina. As a result, objects appear distorted or blurry, especially in the peripheral vision.

Origin

The term "astigmatism" was coined by Thomas Young in the early 19th century. Young was an English physicist and physician who conducted groundbreaking research on light and vision. He used the term to describe an optical defect in which light is not focused at a single point, but rather at two different points along a perpendicular axis.

Young's discovery of astigmatism was significant because it provided a scientific explanation for a condition that had previously been poorly understood. It also led to the development of corrective lenses that could improve vision in people with astigmatism.

astigmatism relate terms

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